Functional profiling of Yanomami microbiota: potential therapeutic impact on colorectal cancer

• Grant number: 25/08894-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2027
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Microbiology - Applied Microbiology
• Agreement: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Campos Paulino
• Grantee: Lucas Amoroso Lopes de Carvalho
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas (CCNH). Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC). Santo André , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 24/08541-5 - Functional study of the Yanomami microbiota: investigating its impact on immunity and colorectal cancer development, AP.R

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most prevalent malignancies globally, representing a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. In Brazil, the incidence is 45,630 new cases (2023 to 2025), corresponding to an estimated risk of 21.10 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. The connection between imbalanced gut microbiota and CRC has been well-established, as dysbiotic microbial communities may cause altered gut permeability, inflammation, and ultimately intestinal diseases. The lifestyle typical of Western societies, which includes a high-fat, high-sugar diet, antibiotic usage, hygiene habits, etc, is related to gut microbial dysbiosis. Conversely, indigenous populations uphold traditional lifestyles and exhibit higher gut microbiota diversity compared to their Western counterparts. It is believed that this diversity yields beneficial effects. This proposal integrates the primary project, a collaboration between the Vereecke & Paulino labs, which aims to evaluate the immunological and disease-modifying properties of the Yanomami microbiota. In this postdoctoral fellowship project, we will conduct a comprehensive functional analysis of the Yanomami microbiota, focusing on its potential protective effects against CRC. A multi-disciplinary approach will be employed, including metagenomics, metabolomics, bioinformatics strategies, gene cloning, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing. The procedures will follow rigid ethical and legal standards. The host institution will be in Brazil, where the in vitro and in silico analyses will be performed. A visit to Belgium is planned to perform in vivo experiments, as well as to promote the integration of the main project, facilitate the exchange of experiences, and broaden scientific vision and expertise. Findings will contribute to developing new therapies against CRC, a cancer responsible for many deaths worldwide and in Brazil, as well as other microbial-related diseases.